Battle of San Antonio de Bexar, pt II

During the night following the first day's fighting, both sides consolidated. Two Mexican Cos were grouped on the west (left center), one Co routed during the night, another held their buildings at top center, while the last reformed in the courtyard of the Governor's Plaza (top right)...

The Texicans occupied several buildings (Greys in center) along the western edge of town, and one at NW corner. Fourth Co occupied a couple of small buildings north of town ) center right)...

After two hours of fighting, (and some horrible die rolls by the Texicans!) one Mexican, one Greys, and x3 Texicans have been shot down, with the largest Texican Co remaining, in retreat! (bottom center of photo)...

It took nearly the whole day for the Texicans finally to secure the next building (top right), but with one company being routed off the board and two others down to only a handful of men, the fight came to an end. Can see some necessary alterations to the rules to fit this scenario better, but thats what this was all about!

Here are some closeups of the Esci Plastics i finally painted after several decades of sitting on the shelf. First, Mexican Infantry...

A few Lancers...

Dismounted Presidio Cavalry...

And Mexican Artillery...

The New Orleans Greys...

Finally, the Texicans...

 Just arrived from Old Glory, i will post some photos of their Texicans as soon as I paint up a few. Stay healthy and safe til then!

Battle of San Antonio de Bexar

While I'm waiting on receiving a fantastic looking model of the Alamo, I decided to use several boxes of Esci plastics I've had sitting on my to-do shelf and recreate this fight that took place before the famous siege. Not being able to get together with the gang, I played this out solo using The Men Who Would be Kings. While not actually set up for this time period, already using it for another project, Rorke's Drift convinced me to give it a try.

The view is from the North looking over the Main Plaza to left, and Military Plaza on the right. Two groups of Texicans seen to the right side with the various Mexican companies manning the barricades and rooftops...

This is from the quiet eastern edge of de Bexar with Mexican cavalry, artillery and infantry all pictured. The Texicans are attacking from the NW, top right of photo...

Turning now to the view from the south with two dismounted Presidio companies shown at bottom...

Finally, the view from the West, NW, where the Texicans are making their move. Two units of the New Orleans Greys are nearing the buildings at left, while the rest of the Texicans (some three more units) are on the left edge...

After several volleys have chased off two Mexican cos, the New Orleans Greys are preparing to assault the NW buildings...

A section of Mexican artillery has moved up to the northern barricade as the company that had originally held this line had retired...

Taking an opposite view as the previous photo, shows two Mexican cos which had been driven from the barricade and rooftops while a third company on right has been trying to move up in support. Unfortunately for the last two turns, the company has failed its command roll!

to be continued...Mexican reserves beginning to move towards the west...

The New Orleans Greys have taken the NW houses while the Mexican Co tries to unpin. The Mexican Co to the left has taken casualties, but continues to hold...

To the south of the Greys, Texican infantry and artillery have cleared a barricade...

To the north, even with casualties suffered, the Mexican Co here deals out three hits on the Texican Co, and it fails twice to unpin (The red caps each reflect a pin; units may only try to rally at that stage!)...

The Mexicans that were forced from the NW houses (center of photo) regroups, but finds themselves exposed to the Greys above. Initiative will be critical here!

The Mexicans do get the first card (initiative) but the pinned company fails and gains yet another pin after losing to the Texican fire from the Greys above! The Mexican Co (center) does pass its orders test and moves closer in order to fir upon the Greys (max 12")

After suffering three (!) casualties from the Mexicans atop the wall, (but succeeding in passing the Pin test of 10!) the Texicans here move to cover afforded by the outlying buildings...

With the Mexicans wining the race to man the barricades, this Texican Co takes cover. Getting caught in the open could be devastating...

Dusk is now quickly falling (turn 11 of 12). To be continued....

A Cruel Seas Adventure

Some of us have been playing this fun naval rule set for nearly a year now, and I finally recorded one engagement. The Germans (with two E-Boats, and two R-Boats) with their Italian allies (with four MAS Boats) are striking against a British force consisting of a Flower corvette, a Fairmile D, and two MTBs escorting two small freighters and one LARGE Frieghter. The British have to get at least one of the escorted vessels across the board.

The British get the first play and move their MTBs towards the Axis Powers and launch their torpedoes.

After moving all the ships, the torpedoes make their run. We've gone on to allow the torpedoing of shallow vessels but forcing a roll for success. The first 'fish' misses while the second passes under the E-Boat!

But luck runs out for the Germans as the third strikes home...

E-Boats are getting strikes on both MTBs, but not before another 'fish' goes into the water...

One MAS Boat is laying down smoke as her compatriots approach for their own torpedoes attacks...

The remaining E-Boat along with one of the Italians get their first torpedoes into the water...

Two more MAS Boats add their torpedoes to the mix...

After playing her torps one MASMTB Boat attempts to flee, but numerous gun hits end her mission...

But the Brits failed to stop much of the torpedoes attack and now they pay the piper...the E-Boat gets one 'fish' into the Corvette as well as one of the Italians. The situation for first small freighter doesn't look good either with three Italian torpedoes looking like good strikes...

And it isn't good as all three strike home...

Then it gets worse as one of the MTBs goes down under a hail of fire from the R- and E-Boats...

A MAS Boat takes hits, but so does the Fairmile...

Axis torpedoes are heading at the large freighter...

...they are striking home, while more torpedoes are heading for their targets. British gunfire is not wrecking the Axis attack!

The damaged MAS Boat is laying smoke and escaping while disaster strikes the British...

With two freighters lost, the British lose their only hope as the Fairmile goes down from a severe pounding of gunfire...

With no one left to protect her, the last British ship goes down. At the cost of one German E-Boat, the British force was annihilated! This was arguably the worst defeat we've seen playing this game. It also goes w/o saying that large ships don't last long...they are torpedoes magnets! But still we all had a "blast"...even the Brits!

Morgoth Unleashes His Monsters!

Easterners (lower left), Wargs and Wargriders (lower center), yet more orcs, Balrogs with Troll Guard (right center), and finally, dragons (lower right)! Oh my...

The Elven Captain from Falas still holds out, and smites yet more orcs...

Even after losing two of their remaining archers, Fingon, Hurin and the other heroes are more than holding their own...

Looking northward near the Fens, the remaining orcs are be destroyed...

found just to the east of the Elves from Gondolin, the Sons of Feanor are destroying the treacherous men of Ulfang and his sons...

Glaurung (in black) and its brood smash into the the Eastern Army...

Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs with its Troll Guard, attack King Fingon (upper right)...

The Dragons are smashing through the Dwarfs, Elves and Men!

Gothmog and a Troll (and one lone crazy orc) take on Fingon and his last surviving Guard. The Second Balrog has finished off another Guard...

And then its just Fingon against Gothmog and his entourage...

Morgoth's Wargs are falling to the Sons of Feanor, while Glaurung's brood is taking some hits...

With the men of Ulfang destroyed, but seeing rising casualties (inc some of Maedros' brothers suffering wounds themselves, the Eastern Army is ordered to retreat...

Glorfindel, Beleg, Gablung, Turgon, and Ecthelion have all reached the Fens, following Fingon's order to retreat...

Huor is killed trying to come to Fingon's aid...

And finally, Fingon himself is brought low by Gothmog and a second Balrog...

Azaghal orders his Naugrim to retire after the Sons of Feanor have left he and his men behind!

And so it has come to its end...Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Played, literally over several months of meetings, I want to thank my numerous players for recreating this incredible struggle form the Silmarilion. Til another time...